Coding academy aims to boost access to tech jobs

Friday

THE ISSUE: A coding academy at the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts aims to increase access to technology jobs.

THE IMPACT: Minorities are statistically underrepresented in the technology workforce.

With backing from Google and other corporate sponsors, a new coding academy in Boston aims to make careers in technology more accessible to minorities and economically disadvantaged adults.

“For the most part, we are looking at individuals who could not afford to go to a traditional school or a for-profit school,” said William Watkins, the director of workforce development for the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. “There are quite a few coding programs out there that cost $14,000 or more. We wanted to help within the sense that many people in this community, black and brown people, couldn’t afford to go.”

With grants from Google, Bank of America and BNY Mellon, the Urban League of Massachusetts launched the coding academy last month in Roxbury. Named MSIMBO, Swahili for “code,” the academy consists of an intensive 20-week program for 18 adult students at a time.

The inaugural class began in September.

A recent report from the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council found blacks and Hispanics, respectively, make up 3 percent and 5 percent of the technology workforce.

“Unfortunately, that economic growth and those opportunities are still not available for everyone,” Liz Schwab, New England head of external affairs for Google said at MSIMBO’s kickoff event. “Statistically, as we know, they are not there for people of color and they are not there for women. Programs like this are incredibly important for us to start and get underway to make sure that economic growth we’re experiencing here is available to everyone, that it’s reflective of our city, and frankly, that it helps drive our economy forward.”

Michelle von Vogler, a lifelong resident of Roslindale, was accepted into the inaugural MSIMBO class. After previously working in communications, she hopes to re-enter the workforce with a career in technology.

Tech companies, she said, should look locally to hire rather than solely recruiting from universities and abroad.

“Companies really need to look at the Urban League as a funnel,” she said. “They need to be a little more open and think outside of the box and think of the Urban League to meet their needs.”

Von Vogler became convinced knowledge of coding was essential to break back into the workforce.

“I’m someone who fell out of the middle class,” she said. “I had a career prior to this. I went into the private sector, got laid off and found it extremely difficult to find a new position. I’ve looked for different avenues to try to learn this.”

In high-poverty neighborhoods, Watkins said, there is a “digital divide.” In an environment where people need to choose between food or internet service, there are many who lack basic technology proficiency.

“This community was all set up from the digital divide not to succeed,” he said.

The coding academy, he said, is intense. Students had to pass an initial assessment before being accepted into MSIMBO. Now that the classes have started, students study full time in the 120-hour, 20-week program. Students who complete the program will have access to internship opportunities with local partners, while the Urban League will provide career services and mentoring.

“MSIMBO and programs like it help create a much needed bridge for economic mobility, a bridge for all,” Stephanie Mack, a Bank of America vice president and senior analyst, said at the coding academy’s kickoff. “It also provides employers like Bank of America with a pipeline of talent that reflects the diverse communities where our employees and customers live and work.”